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Friday, July 31, 2009

Who wouldn't be excited to interview Felicia Day and Kim Evey of "The Guild"?And our Monday interview for The Web Files: Cast of Oz Girl!!In deep conversation with Kat Steel of "Show Me Your Clips".Last night on the red carpet for iTVFest was fantastic, exciting, and energizing. The day started out with Variety noting that web series and TV pilots are carrying equal weight in this year's festival. I have to say, "Web Series, you have officially arrived!" It was nice to see familiar faces like Felicia Day, Kim Evey, Ariel Lazarus (who is destined to be the new "IT" girl of web series), Stephen Leonard, Stephanie Thorpe, and Mike Davies, but it was also a great day to be introduced to newer faces in the web world.

We got more footage than we originally anticipated and I think you will see a compilation version for The Web Files and maybe some longer interviews released throughout the week. We hear you loud and clear! We know that as creators of web content you have a lot say, a lot of stories to tell, and an audience willing to listen. I hope that The Web Files becomes a place to help you tell those stories.

I am thrilled that the cast of Oz Girl agreed to sit down with us on Monday for an interview. It's not often that you get the cast and creator together, especially when they fly in from Melbourne, Australia. I am fascinated by 19-year-old creator, Nick Carlton, with one series under his belt and one on the way, I expect great things from him.

I will release photos each day from iTVFest's red carpet gala, so come on back and join me for the fun!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

It's hot=melting makeup!This was our first true behind the scenes look at a web series for The Web Files and also the hottest day of summer. My makeup was melting, but I had a fun interview in store for me. We actually filmed this before Safety Geeks: SVI, but we bumped the episode by a week to coordinate with Dave Beeler and Tom Konkle's appearance at Comic-Con. The cast and crew were shooting in Burbank at the Victory Theatre. It is always interesting to see how actors, directors, and producers work because each set brings its own energy and fun. I don't know how you couldn't love being on set with Lenny L. Roboticus. I kind of have a crush on the Bot who is made from Ikea parts, a salad spinner, and even has his own Facebook page. (Be warned, Lenny is quite the ladies' man....how else do you think Nurse Ratknee wound up in her delicate condition?)

This show also works with a green screen, well, actually a black screen. We filmed the opening to the show on the black background of the stage and Robert Poe, co-creator and director of Space Hospital, kindly gave us the composite of the operating room for me to work with. Oh, and I did borrow a costume for my closing of The Web Files. Little did I know, I was "expendable", I think I will have to talk to wardrobe about that issue.

Space Hospital is a really interesting mix of space, love, soap opera drama, and a taste of the absurd. To understand it all, head on over to their website to experience it for yourself: Space Hospital. I felt a tinge of H.R. Pufnstuf come into play at times and that is what makes it a fantastical ride for everyone aboard Space Hospital.

2. We interviewed Demi Delia of Mommy XXX on Crackle, so be sure to catch up on her show before you watch The Web Files episode. Watch here: Mommy XXX

3. We are planning on covering animation in Web TV, so I have been talking to a few animators lately. Michelle of Blink Kitty Love kindly wrote a few words about The Web Files. Read here: Lonely Pond

4. Last Thursday was the Hollywood Web TV meetup sponsored by Tubefilter. Koldcast TV kindly interviewed us about the show. This is the highlight reel, our full interview will be up next week. Watch here: Koldcast TV

5. We will be covering the iTVFest Opening Night Gala on July 30th. If you are a web series in the Festival, be sure to stop by and talk to us on the red carpet.

6. And right below you find Episode 2 with The Crew if you are just too tired to click over to YouTube.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Have you checked out Episode 3 of The Web Files yet? If you haven't, you can find it right here: Safety Geeks:SVI Interview. The finished episode is probably my favorite so far because Dave Beeler and Tom Konkle of Safety Geeks:SVI and Invention gave us a true behind the scenes look of what it is like to shoot on green screen. I was literally on standing an inch from the two of them. For those of you who are actors working on a green screen series, you are completely used to this. I, on the other hand, was not. The limited range of motion and light makes me appreciate the work of the actors and crew.

If you watch the episode you will notice the layering of composites....including two of ME! I know that is one too many KB's, but my niece at least got a kick out of it. The fantastic thing about Safety Geeks is their use of the 3D element to their green screen backgrounds. That additional dimension makes it feel truly interactive. As for my acting.....ah, don't worry, I won't try and act again, I promise.

For those of you heading down to Comic Con in San Diego this weekend, be sure to stop by and say "hi" to Dave and Tom. Hey, tell them The Web Files sent you! They are a lot of fun....maybe they will even strike a Charlie's Angels pose for you too.

As for our next episode, we will be featuring the cast and creators of Space Hospital as they film their integrated commercials. Here's your opportunity to check them out before our interview is released next Wednesday: Space Hospital

Monday, July 20, 2009

We are on a roll here at The Web Files. Today, I am off to Demi Delia's compound which I found out is just around the corner from me. Who knew we were neighbors?! If you haven't been watching her show, Mommy XXX, it's time to start checking it out on Crackle. It will offer a different perspective into an adult film performer's world. She has a straight-A student daughter and an animal loving, vegan musician for a son. They love their mom, but not necessarily her career.

In other news, we received a really nice write-up from freelance journalist, Jacob Nahin. Thanks, Jacob, we really appreciate. You can check it out here: The Web Files Review.

I will post a photo from the shoot later. If you haven't seen The Web Files yet, what are you waiting for? The Web Files

Sunday, July 19, 2009

We've seen the proliferation of 3D movies in the past few years: Up, Beowulf, and Hannah Montana:Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour. Is it a gimmick being pushed by the movie studios to get us out of the house and into the theatres or is it the next level of technology that will become a part of our everyday movie going experience? Well, In-Three executives, CEO David Seigle and Executive Vice President Neil Feldman, want you to know it is here to stay and they are going to do their best to educate the viewer to become a critic of quality 3-D.

In-Three has pioneered the way to take a 2D film and convert it into an experience with 3D images all while maintaining artistic integrity along the way. While this may sound like a simple conversion from one dimension to the other, it is not. It involves a process they patented and developed called "Dimensionalization". This allows the director to choose a depth rating which allows them to achieve a comfortable level of 3D for the viewer or to go more dramatic with specific style choices for their film. This also means a more affordable way to create 3D film: shoot the film in 2D and three-dimensionalize it in post which results in half the cost of a traditional 3D movie. It truly involves an advanced set of tools and an undercurrent of new thinking in the 3D industry.

Comfort level is not something you may think about as a viewer of 3D film in the movie theatre, but it is important to In-Three. They have also created a software tool that will measure "the visual impact of 3D content". Adults and children view 3D images differently because the ratio of where kids see 3D is dramatically different than that of a fully-developed adult. The images will seem even closer to a child which is why they are sometimes terrified by even the most harmless image jumping out in front of them. Other issues they are concerned with involve "3D Fatigue" where the viewer's eyes are exhausted from images on the screen. They have scientifically researched where the separation of the screen's images rest most comfortably with an adult and a child's eye. This is known as the parallax which rates the depth perception for the audience. An adult's eye will rest most comfortably at 2.5 inches apart, so the next time you are at the theatre, take off your glasses and start judging the quality of your 3D experience.

Outside of the revolutionary technology, where does In-Three see 3D headed? Like many, they find the current economy to be a major player in holding back the digital upgrades that are necessary on the exhibition side. 3D is the driver in the digital age, with approximately twelve 3D films slated for 2009 and upwards of sixteen on the schedule for 2010. Audiences are willing to pay a premium for the theatre experience, but without the continual upgrades on digital projectors, it may take longer than you think to see this as a standard in the theatre exhibition industry. If studios subsidized some of these improvements, maybe we will all be able to see some of the classics in 3D.

The idea of classic movies in 3D may bring traditionalists to the streets to riot, but with the backing and testimonials from high level entertainment moguls like James Cameron, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, and Jeffrey Katzenberg, the viewer may be watching "The Wizard of Oz" in 3D before you know it. Lucas even has a benchmark in mind. If 5000 screens become available with digital technology, Star Wars geeks might see Princess Leia in a gold bikini in 3D. Currently, the US has 2500 3D digital screens, so it may take awhile. Yet, with the return of event movies, maybe Lucas will change his mind.

3D is becoming more relevant, not only in the movie industry, but also in the automotive and consumer electronics industries. Viewers will see more applications of 3D technology in their dashboard displays of their vehicles and in home theatre configurations. Anyone attendee at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2009 can attest to its presence. So, In-Three is ready for you to become a consumer of quality 3D in the entertainment industry.To check out examples of their dimensionalization at work, be sure to see Disney's G-Force opening Friday, July 24th. For more information on In-Three, head on over to their website: In-Three.

Check out a sneak preview of Episode 3 of The Web Files featuring Safety Geeks: SVI with Tom Konkle and Dave Beeler. We shot part of the episode on their green screen set, so this is just a taste of what to expect for Episode 3. Remember, they are headed to Comic Con, so be sure to add them to your event list in San Diego. The short video even gives you a peek at Sandra Payne, Executive Producer of The Web Files, who runs away anytime I aim the camera at her. Oh, and you can hold off on the commentary about my crappy camera work. I know, I stink, that's why I host! I will add more commentary about the making of the episode on Wednesday. Stay Tuned!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Episode 2 is launched with the cast from The Crew, one of my favorite web series. If you haven't seen this show, be sure to check it out on KoldcastTV here: The Crew. I first met series creator, Brett Register, at GeekOut '09. I think I grabbed him by the shirt and told him he had to do my new show, The Web Files. I appreciate Brett taking a leap of faith in doing our show sight unseen. We were new, we hadn't launched, but he said "yes" and he kindly invited most of the cast to join us. So, I owe Brett a big "thank you" and a promise that I will be watching Season 2.

For the show, my Executive Producer, Purse Dog TV, and I were looking for a fun location to shoot and boy, we hit one out of the park. The Hollywood Wax Museum kindly donated the space right next to their Star Wars prequel wax figurines. If you haven't visited the wax museum before, be sure to stop on by the next time you are in the area. It is a true Hollywood classic.

We had a lot of challenges with sound because the museum was open to the public and we had the dreaded air conditioning vent blowing throughout the interview. The staff at the museum was awesome though as they directed traffic so the tourists could see Arnold in wax as the Terminator and we could get the scoop on Season 1 of The Crew. My favorite part of the interview is Ariel Lazarus describing how she is positioned at her green screen desk and how she is lit for each scene. Her character, Andrea Lee, is one to watch out for in the engine room!

Next episode is Safety Geeks: SVI starring Tom Konkle and Dave Beeler in their pre-Comic Con appearance. I look forward to hearing your feedback and comments, what series do you want The Web Files to cover?

Reporting Live from Los Angeles,

kb

PS A huge thanks to Marybeth Bagonghasa for the incredible hair and makeup. What would I do without you? To Perry Payne, who has worked tirelessly without complaint the last 4 weeks...thank you! And to my super cute bf, thanks for your help on this episode.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Hey Everyone,I am back from crisscrossing the country twice last week. I am sitting inside on the couch today which really isn't a good endorsement for the event I hosted for Women's Health Magazine in NYC yesterday. It was a fantastic, fun, and FREE day for women to enjoy fitness classes, makeovers, massages, and pick up some sample products. The weather could not have been better as thousands turned out to enjoy the activities. I also emceed the 3 fashions shows with the gorgeous workout looks from ASICS, Champion, and Oakley. I was surprised at how important recycled fabrics have become to the workout industry. I love that eco-friendly element.

I was able to sample some of the products as ASICS gave me two pairs of amazing sneakers and Oakley generously donated a pair of sunglasses to my collection. The day is full of non-stop fun and our DJs, Sugar Ray and Tim Martell, kept me dancing all day. Oh, and I even managed to do a backflip on the Euro-Bungee, broke a nail in the process, and then had Maybelline take care of it 5 minutes later since they were offering free manicures. That's how GOOD an event it was! (OH, and Edy's Cookies and Cream Frozen Yogurt was delicious too!)Now, if you live in Chicago, we are headed there next week on July 18th. Check out all of the info here: Women's Health Magazine. So, be sure to stop by and say "hi"!

Reporting Live from my couch in Los Angeles,kb

PS Enjoy the photos of me on the Euro-Bungee. What I do want to know is what is going on in the photo with the two women. Is it circus, yoga, stretching? Comment away and let me know.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Hey Everyone,It has been a busy 24 hours.....trying to promote the launch of The Web Files, prepping for a shoot in a few hours (I am about to sit in hair and makeup.), then a BIG meeting about distribution, a conference call with Dance Channel TV, and then prep for Saturday's event with Women's Health Magazine in New York.

Phew. Well, our first review is in and the ball is rolling. We just got confirmation for another great web series that I think you are really going to like. Can't tell you just yet, but it's a good one. For now, go watch Safety Geeks: SVI, I am about to go interview Tom Konkle and Dave Beeler. I imagine it will be an uproarious afternoon. Check out the review here: Quadruplez

“The Web.Files” gives viewers the inside scoop about the hottest series on the web, and the “Web Celebs” who create them.

Los Angeles, California (July 8, 2009) – In a crowded field where new web series seem to pop up daily, “The Web.Files,” stands alone as the first entertainment talk show to cover the “Web Celebs” who create them.

The inaugural episode of “The Web.Files” launches July 8, 2009, from multiple platforms across the web, including on its own YouTube channel at The Web Files. Designed as a weekly talk/interview show, each 5- to 7-minute episode delves into the inner workings of, and behind-the-scenes stories related to, the hottest shows on the web.

Hosted by entertainment correspondent, red carpet veteran and “The Web.Files” creator, Kristyn Burtt, Episode 1 features Tay Zonday of “Chocolate Rain” fame talking over cupcakes at Studio City bakery, Big Sugar. Burtt asks him about how he went from obscurity to having a breakout video with more than 39 million hits in just 2 years.

“…It really had not happened before,” Zonday said of his unprecedented transition from living room musician to Internet sensation. It begged an important question: What do you do once you’re a “Web Celeb”?

Burtt, who initially bumped into Zonday at Tubefilter’s GeekOut! ’09, an event “celebrating your inner geek,” wanted to know the answer to that question and more. It was her curiosity about the people behind the videos, podcasts and web series with download appeal that got “The Web.Files” off the ground.

The idea for the show began during her red carpet coverage of the March 28, 2009, Streamy Awards. Burtt found that the people she was talking with that night had fascinating stories to tell about their journeys to Internet fame. She knew immediately that she’d like to be the one to help tell those stories to the world.

So, she created “The Web.Files” as a show centered around “Web Celebs”—essentially, the principals involved in creating the best, most-watched, highest-rated, and most talked about series on the web.

Burtt then contacted award-winning filmmaker, Sandra J. Payne, whose SPwrite Productions, LLC, was about to launch its first web series, “Life with Kat & McKay” on its new portal, PurseDog.tv.

Both passionate about New Media, Burtt and Payne decided to combine forces to produce “The Web.Files.” They have several shows completed and many more guests already booked. New shows will upload each Wednesday by 5 a.m. EST.

Follow “The Web.Files” on Twitter at The Web Files, or find us on Facebook under the profile, TheWeb Files.

About Kristyn Burtt

Dynamic TV host, Kristyn Burtt, has been in front of the camera on network television shows such as ShopNBC and MSNBC’s pilot, “The Arena,” with Jesse Ventura. She is currently the entertainment correspondent for Focus Hollywood, and she co-hosts a show for Toyota called “Toyota Live!” across America. Her corporate clients include some of the biggest names in the country: Mattel, HP, Dolby, Sony, LG Electronics, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With a background in dance, a degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she graduated with honors, and a love of adventure, Burtt’s diverse background gives her the perfect basis for covering the multitude of topics and people found on the web.

About SPwrite Productions, LLC

SPwrite Productions, founded by Sandra J. Payne, has produced multiple award-winning films, including “Everybody Games,” a Platinum Remi winner from WorldFest Houston 2009, three trailer winners for the Austin Film Festival trailer competition, winning in 2004, 2005, and 2007, and “The Secret Lives of Shopping Carts,” which won a Bronze award for best comedy short film from WorldFest Houston in 2001.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Hey Everyone!It's an exciting day here over at The Web Files. We have Episode 1 launched and ready for viewing. I feel like we have been talking about this day forever, but it has only been 3 1/2 months from idea to conception. Our first guest is Tay Zonday, the hit sensation from YouTube. If you haven't heard "Chocolate Rain" yet, trust me, you will have it in your head all day after watching our show. Tay put a lot of faith into allowing us to interview him as our first guest on a show he has yet to see....until today. Behind that booming voice, Tay is intelligent, funny, and a total sport. Seriously, I take the man to Big Sugar for chocolate cupcakes and he has a gluten allergy. Way to go, KB!

I think you will be surprised at the man behind "Chocolate Rain". Think about it.....a grad student in Minnesota goes from making a video in his living room to posting it on YouTube to Jimmy Kimmel's couch to 39 million hits on YouTube. Pretty amazing in my book, but the question Tay is continuing to answer is where do you go from here? Stay tuned to The Web Files and to Tay Zonday to find out.

Monday, July 6, 2009

I hope you had a happy and safe 4th of July! I am happily ensconced in my secret vacation location for a few more days, but don't forget that The Web Files launches on Wednesday, July 8th. Be sure to subscribe here: The Web Files

Also, I have a fun event for New Yorkers this weekend. Ladies, if you are looking to get fit for FREE, I hope you join me this Saturday, July 11th at Pier 46 in Hudson River Park for a day filled with fun, fitness, and fashion. I will be hosting and emceeing the day with fashions from Asics, Champion, and AYG. All of the information can be found here: Women's Health Magazine

I will have a ton of information coming at you this week, so come back and join me here at The Red Carpet Closet.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Slated as a weekly series, “The Web.Files” will give viewers the inside scoop behind the hottest series on the web, and the “Web Celebs” who create them.

Los Angeles, California (July 1, 2009) – New web series, “The Web.Files,” will launch its inaugural episode on July 8, 2009, from multiple platforms across the web. Planned as a weekly talk/inteview show featuring 5- to 7-minute episodes, it was first conceived by entertainment correspondent and hosting veteran, Kristyn Burtt.

During her coverage of the March 28, 2009, Streamy Awards from the red carpet, Burtt realized that the people she was talking with that night had a lot of untold stories. Stories that she would like to tell.

She devised a plan to create a web series she would host centered around the principals involved in creating the best, most-watched, highest-rated, and most talked about series on the web.

Burtt contacted award-winning filmmaker, Sandra J. Payne, whose SPwrite Productions, LLC, was about to launch its first web series, “Life with Kat & McKay” on its new web portal, PurseDog.tv.

Both passionate about New Media, Burtt and Payne decided to combine forces to create “The Web.Files.” Burtt’s first interview is with YouTube sensation Tay Zonday, who became one of the early break-out stars from that site with his song, “Chocolate Rain,” which currently has more than 38 million hits.

“The Web.Files” opening sequence is now available for viewing. Follow “The Web.Files” on twitter at https://twitter.com/TheWebFiles, or find us on Facebook

About Kristyn Burtt

Dynamic TV host, Kristyn Burtt, has been in front of the camera on network television shows such as ShopNBC and MSNBC’s pilot, “The Arena,” with Jesse Ventura. She is currently the entertainment correspondent for Focus Hollywood, and she co-hosts a show for Toyota called “Toyota Live!” across America. Her corporate clients include some of the biggest names in the country: Mattel, HP, Dolby, Sony, LG Electronics, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With a background in dance, a degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she graduated with honors, and a love of adventure, Burtt’s diverse background gives her the perfect basis for covering the multitude of topics and people found on the web.

About SPwrite Productions, LLC

SPwrite Productions, founded by Sandra J. Payne, has produced multiple award-winning films, including “The Secret Lives of Shopping Carts,” which won a Bronze award for best comedy short film from WorldFest Houston in 2001, “Everybody Games,” a Platinum Remi winner from WorldFest Houston 2009, and three trailer winners for the Austin Film Festival trailer competition, winning in 2004, 2005, and 2007.

Payne, who has produced credits in children’s television with the global juggernaut Barney & Friends, writes, directs, and produces “Life with Kat & McKay,” and is the director/producer of “The Web.Files.” She has a third web series, “Extra Work,” in pre-production starring Todd Duffey of “Office Space” fame.